Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 21
Barely a week after the brutal killings of two NSCN (K) cadres and two innocent school children at Phor village under Meluri sub-division of Phek district another NSCN cadre hailed from Khaplang group was killed by the security forces early Tuesday morning at Jotsoma village.
The Assam Rifles, in a press release issued by the PRO, claimed that the NSCN (K) cadre was killed when the army personnel retaliated during an exchange of fire between the two parties.
According to the PRO of IGAR(North), the security personnel were patrolling in the jungle of Puliebadze, when they were fired upon by a group of NSCN (K) cadres who had established a temporary camp in the area. The security forces responded with equal fire power which led to the killing of the cadre, it claimed.
The AR also claimed that large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered. At the firing site, the army personnel also found one 9mm sub-machine-carbine, one .32mm pistol, four assorted guns and pistol magazines, 81 rounds of assorted ammunition, three Chinese grenades, two Improvised Explosive Devices and two military grade anti-tank mines.
“The war like stores recovered from the militant camp was meant to carry out extensive terror activities in Kohima town and adjoining areas. The quantum and type of ammunition and explosives recovered is sufficient to carry out very large scale damage to life and property,” the PRO said while claiming Tuesday’s killing as a successful operation against the NSCN (K) faction in Nagaland.
“This successful operation will go a long way in instilling a sense of security and confidence among the citizens of Nagaland and Kohima in particular,” the release said.
The slain cadre has been identified as one Tokihe Yepthomi, (29 years) 2nd Lieutenant of NSCN (K), from Sukhalu village under Zunheboto district and presently residing at Purana Bazar, Dimapur.
He reportedly sustained four bullet injuries – two on the chest, one on the forehead and another on the left hand. The security forces reportedly handed over the body to the district administration and police personnel in the afternoon at Jotsoma in the presence of SDO Civil Sechü, OC Sechü Zubza and SDPO Kohima. His body was received by the family and relatives from the police later in the evening.
According to sources from Jotsoma village, firings were heard at around 5 to 5.30 in the morning. The incident took place below Puliebadze ridge, just above Sazolie College. Some villagers also informed that the AR personnel were patrolling in the said area for quite a long time. Sources also said that five NSCN (K) cadres who were camping at the area escaped during the exchange of fire.
